CHERITON Fitzpaine was packed with villagers, academics and Jean Rhys fans for a special "Evening with Jean Rhys". 

The famous author spent 17 years in the village, but was not universally popular, partly because of her heavy drinking and mood swings. 

With very rare permission from the author's granddaughter, Dr Ellen Moerman, excerpts from her book, The Wide Sargasso Sea, were read by various academics, and by members of the drama club.   

The talk was illustrated with pictures of Dominica, where the author was born, and with Jean at various stages of her life.   

Having been educated at Leys School in Cambridge (what a shock to the system, after running wild on a Carribean island!), Jean had minor acting roles, was a chorus girl and even an artist's model, spending some time in France which she loved. 

We learned about the Rev Alwynne Woodard, who seemed to be the only person able to cope with her furious, self-destructive moods (he had been a chaplain in a psychiatric hospital for a while).   

The Reverend, with the help of his daughter, spent a whole night on his hands and knees putting together some of the pages of the famous novel, which Jean had torn up in despair.   

The author of her biography I Used to Live Here Once, Miranda Seymour, was also interviewed, and at the end of the evening we were able to buy a copy of the book. 

Thanks to Elly Babbedge and the drama club for all their hard work in making the evening so enjoyable. 

By Mary Nunn